Here's the UPDATED (11/24) Coverage map for the ND vs. USC football game (Saturday @ 8 PM EST). ABC MADE A CHANGE THIS MORNING!!! -- ABC JUST RELEASED THAT A FEW MARKETS ON THE EAST COAST WILL NOW BE GETTING THE ND vs. USC GAME; New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh markets. Approximately 46% of the country will now be receiving this game. Here's hoping that still improves -- as ND fans across the country are putting pressure on ABC to broadcast the game. If you reside in the "yellow area" of this map -- you won't see the game on ABC, but you can catch it on ESPN3.COM or ESPN GAMEPLAN (You must buy at least a "weekly package" which will run you $24. Here are links to both -- click on the map to enlarge:

This video captures -- quite quickly -- what Notre Dame pulled off this past weekend in New York City. You'll see photos and video footage of events, places, etc. -- that have not been available before -- it's great stuff! A truly historic weekend for the University of Notre Dame. This video, that was just "tweeted" by @Tony_Fuller -- IS MUST SEE -- thanks Tony! There's also a link to a photo gallery of ND in NYC posted on Notre Dame's student newspaper's site:

It's time for our weekly look at where Notre Dame Football ranks in certain statistical categories amongst the 120 teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision -- AFTER ELEVEN GAMES OF THE 2010 SEASON. In today's analysis you'll see how Notre Dame's defense currently stands on a national basis -- as compared to their final ranking for 2009 and against the top team in the country -- in each category this season.

DEFENSE -- TEAM STATISTICS

Quarterback Sacks: 2010 Rank - #29 with 26 QB sacks -- in 2009 we had 19 QB sacks for the season, ranking us #92 -- Florida State leads the country with 41 QB sacks.

Tackles for Loss: 2010 Rank - #57 with an average of 5.91 tackles for loss per game -- in 2009 we averaged 6.0 tackles for loss per game, ranking us #48 in the country. Boise State leads the country with an average of 8.8 tackles for loss per game.

Interceptions: 2010 Rank - #30 with 13 interceptions -- in 2009 we had 12 interceptions for the season, ranking us #50 -- Alabama leads the country with 21 interceptions.

First Downs: 2010 Rank - #42 allowing an average of 18.45 first downs per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 19.67 first downs per game, ranking us #72 -- TCU leads the country giving up an average of 11.55 first downs per game.

Third Down Conversion Rate: 2010 Rank - #30 allowing only 36,21% conversion rate on third down -- in 2009 we allowed a 39.5% conversion rate, ranking us #67 -- West Virginia leads the country allowing only a 21.74% conversion rate.

Red Zone Efficiency: 2010 Rank - #36 allowing the team to score 79% of the time -- in 2009 we allowed teams to score 75% of the time, ranking us #15 -- Boise State leads the country allowing teams to score 47% of the time.

Rushing Yards: 2010 Rank - #62 giving up an average of 153 yards rushing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 170 yards rushing per game, ranking us #89 -- Boise State leads the country giving up an average of 72 yards rushing per game.

Passing Yards: 2010 Rank - #51 giving up an average of 208 yards passing per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 227 yards passing per game, ranking us #76 in the country. TCU leads the country giving up an average of 135 yards passing per game.

Total Yards: 2010 Rank - #55 giving up 362 yards per game -- in 2009 we gave up an average of 397 yards per game, ranking us #86 -- TCU leads the country giving up 223 yards per game.

Points Allowed Per Game: 2010 Rank - #33 giving up 20.91 points per game -- in 2009 we gave up 25.3 points per game, ranking us #63 -- TCU leads the country giving up 10.91 points per game.

DEFENSE -- INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Tackles Per Game:

Manti Teo -- averaging 10.73 tackles per game -- ranked #13 in the country

Sacks:

Darius Fleming -- 5.5 sacks this season -- ranked #70 in the country

Ethan Johnson -- 5.0 sacks this season -- ranked #83 in the country

Interceptions

Harrison Smith -- 3 interceptions this season -- ranked #47 in the country

Darrin Walls -- 3 interceptions this season -- ranked #47 in the country

Notre Dame's "Mr. Perfect" David Ruffer -- was named yesterday as one of the three Finalists for the 2010 Lou Groza Award -- which is awarded annually by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission to the nation's top place-kicker. Ruffer, joined the Irish in the middle of last season as a "walk on" straight from Notre Dame's "interhall" football league. And, all he's done is make every kick he's attempted ever since! Ruffer is a "perfect" 15 for 15 this season -- the only kicker in the FBS that has attempted at least 10 field goals without missing -- and he's now 20 for 20 for his career. Could be a movie here!!! The winner will be announced at the 19th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards Banquet on Tuesday, Dec. 7th at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, Florida -- and again on Thursday, Dec. 9th at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.

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Besides being a lifelong fan of the University of Notre Dame, my wife Susan and I are the proud parents of four great kids; Jimmy (a former Irish Guard), Kara, Brady and son-in-law Conor. I also "triple" as a Senior Director of Storytelling & Engagement at Notre Dame. So, if you ever have a story idea, thoughts on how this blog can better serve Notre Dame fans, or you just want to talk Notre Dame -- feel free to reach me at; jim.small@ndgoirish.com